THE ASCENSION OF JESUS CHRIST VRS. THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

The Ascension of Jesus and the Assumption of Mary basically contains the same truth that Jesus and Mary were both TAKEN UP to heaven body and soul.

The essential difference between the two doctrines is that Jesus Christ ascended to heaven by his own power after he had successfully completed his earthly mission. In the case of Mary, she was taken up into the glories of heaven soul and body by the power of God. This reward was as a result of her close association with God in his plan of salvation. 

Jesus ascended to heaven from the Mount of Olives, 40 days after his resurrection from the dead ( Acts 1:6-11). His own Apostles witnessed the glorious spectacle. What of Mary, who witnessed it? This was a singular privilege given to her.

The Sacred Scriptures records some individuals who were also taken up to heaven because of their close relationship with God.  "Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven" (2 Kings 2:11) and for Enoch "God took him" (Genesis 5:24). How come that of Mary did not find a place in the Sacred Scriptures?

This Feast of the Assumption is celebrated every year on the 15th of August. This was promulgated in 1950 by Pope Pius XII. This dogma says, “That the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.” 

Mary is described as THE ARK OF THE COVENANT  in the litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The ARK is seen as a symbol of Mary and the entry of the Ark into Jerusalem prefigures Mary’s entry into heaven. Psalm 132:8 reads “ARISE, O LORD, AND ENTER YOUR RESTING PLACE, ALONG  WITH THE ARK,...” Our resting place is heaven. The Ark represents Mary whose praises are sung with the Lord in the temple and in another place, Scripture says "because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay."(PS 16:10). The teachings of the New Testament is that all believers in Christ will be raised from the dead and taken bodily to heaven. (Rom. 5:15, 1 Cor 15:21-26,54-67) 

In conclusion,  the main reason for belief among early Christians in Mary’s Assumption was the fact that she was Mother of Jesus Christ. Christians found it difficult to imagine that the woman who had borne the sacred body of Jesus Christ could suffer corruption and dissolution.

Mary, blessed among women …. Pray for us!!!